I have used Fakini balls for many years and love them. I recently decided to move up to 2 inch balls from 1.75 inch but discovered that they are no longer available from Fakini. So I began searching for a substitute. Items I explored include:

Bond Lee - Sterlini Magic silicone balls 1.7 inch only - reportedly a great grip and a thin shell. I would certainly get a set if they made them in 2 inch.

Fakini 2 inch balls are unavailable anywhere I have searched. I have always liked the grip. Even if they were available, a set of 4 balls with 2 shells would run about $300 based on last available pricing.

Florian Zimmer balls have received rave reviews but are extremely expensive (for 2 inch, 4 balls + 2 shells run about $350). According to their website, Jeff McBride says "Absolutely the best on the market". These balls are reported to have a super grip and are also light.

Approach China silicone 2 inch balls have a super grip (much grippier even than Fakini), a thin shell and handle beautifully. I have been delighted with their performance. They have a thinner lighter shell with some "give" that aids in handling. They cost far less than what the Florian Zimmer balls cost ( 4 balls + 2 shells = $39 vs. $350 for Florian Zimmer equivalent package).

They have some disadvantages. Their shell coating can peel over time. They are heavier than Florian Zimmer balls (similar to Fakini weight). Over time the sheen on the balls wears off (I prefer this matte look) but the sheen remains on the shell so appearance is not an exact match at that point. I have a second set for performance only in addition to a practice set so that wear is not an issue. An additional concern is they are sold by a dealer generally poorly regarded here due to cheap rip-offs of quality products sold elsewhere by their originators.

The shells have a somewhat loose fit, as the two shells are designed to create in tandem a ball around one of the silicone balls for use in two shell routines, and do fit together perfectly for this purpose but are therefore larger than the balls themselves but quite thin with some flex when squeezed by the edges. I find that they need to be washed regularly in a solution of Dawn dishwashing liquid and warm water to maintain optimal grippiness. (The extremely grippy surface is a magnet to particulate matter and skin oils which degrade the grip over time.)

I have found the transition to two inch balls from 1.75 inch to be an easy one, probably because of the enhanced grippiness of the balls. In spite of the issues mentioned, I highly recommend these balls. They handle better than my Fakini balls which I used for 25 years. I even modified my routine to include two shells based on ideas from the video routine they provide, which is actually quite good.

Dick OslundInner circle
7363 Posts

Posted: Aug 28, 2017 07:46 am

1

Thanks Doc, for the nicely detailed comments. Your review should be most useful to anyone contemplating working with balls.

SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK

johnsterliniNew user
73 Posts

Posted: Aug 28, 2017 08:55 am

0

Doc,
Keep an ear open, new products to be announced very soon!

RenoireNew user
Montreal, QC, Canada
31 Posts

Posted: Aug 29, 2017 03:22 pm

0

Hi Doc and everyone too. Need some advice on getting started with MBB.

I too just made the rounds and discovered the following: House of Fakini has reopened and is now taking orders with their new site.

Bond Lee balls are soon to ship in a few weeks....

And lastly the Mirage product from JL has this crazy expensive Split-in-two-and-stick-on-your-sleeve with a magnet thingy... I see HUGE new possibilities with that feature!

WHERE do I start? What SIZE should I order? What's the most important aspect to understand BEFORE I start practicing with the wrong size? I just went to the $tore and spent $1.25 on three little rubber bouncing balls to get my feet wet... Think they are 1" or so. Just trying to get a few into my fingers at the same time without dropping everything:-) It's gonna take time to Master this trick.

Any and ALL advice welcome and thanks in advance!!

You will always be too much of something for someone: too big, too loud, too soft, too edgy. BUTT If you round out your edges - you lose your edge.

danarunsSpecial user
The City of Angels
534 Posts

Posted: Aug 29, 2017 03:55 pm

0

Quote:

On Aug 29, 2017, Renoire wrote:

I too just made the rounds and discovered the following: House of Fakini has reopened and is now taking orders with their new site.

Where did you find that? I just looked at their website, and right on the home page it says, "Ordering details: DO NOT ORDER. NO ORDERS ARE BEING TAKEN AT THIS TIME. BACK ORDERS WILL BE FILLED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WE ARE SORRY FOR THE THE INCONVENIENCE."

Where the very first post at the top of the page announced the NOW OPEN - but the sort order is reversed!! (Why I don't know) resulting in the New information at the BOTTOM instead of the top of the page...

Again, on my phone, I received the Mobile version with no such message, but thanks for mentioning it as I can see it on their full site.

Guess this means NO FAKINI for us both.

Ps: any Tips for me? Do do balls?

You will always be too much of something for someone: too big, too loud, too soft, too edgy. BUTT If you round out your edges - you lose your edge.

glennmagiNew user
50 Posts

Posted: Sep 1, 2017 06:23 pm

1

This is definitely some important info on alternatives out there. The Approaching China ones may work because I use Plasti Dip spray on other balls to return stickiness.

You will always be too much of something for someone: too big, too loud, too soft, too edgy. BUTT If you round out your edges - you lose your edge.

Josh RielInner circle
of hell
1917 Posts

Posted: Sep 3, 2017 05:36 am

0

The Bond Lee balls are the ones I want the most, the size and everything is what I've been waiting for.

Unfortunately, other people also want them, so the delivery time is significant right now. I'm hoping for mine soon.

I have a set of 2" Fakini that I don't use anymore, and they've had a hard life. I just found them to be uncomfortable.
What I found particularly odd is the Fakini balls I received all those years ago, and paid 2 bills for, had "worm tracks" and seams, the quality was less than those super balls you can buy from a vending machine.

I never bought any Fakini ball again, not that any of these things really matter magically.
I'm excited for my new balls regardless.

Magic is doing improbable things with odd items that, under normal circumstances, would be unnessecary and quite often undesirable.

skilldiniNew user
40 Posts

Posted: Mar 2, 2018 08:13 am

1

Doc Svengali has a very thorough review of Balls. Thank You. I am in the process of trying to keep the Fakini brand alive. I do think they are superior in many ways, especially the full line range. The material is very expensive and very durable. Wish me luck to keep this pioneer of manipulation supplies in business.

RenoireNew user
Montreal, QC, Canada
31 Posts

Posted: Mar 2, 2018 01:54 pm

0

Has anyone tried a set of DMSB (Dream Multiplying Silicon Balls) made in Italy? Comments appreciated.

These are not made in Italy, they can be purchased various places including China. They are okay, the shells are not that good, Soft one layer, not silicone covered to match the balls. I sent my set back.

This set you referenced is only 1.5", that is kind of small, unless you are a young teenager. You should get at least 1.75".

If you are looking for price over quality, then get, Jieli Magic sets on eBay, from China, they are very good, and only cost around $15 to $18.

Graduate of Chavez College of Prestidigitation and Showmanship

"Magic With A Twist Of Comedy"

RileySpecial user
Darlington UK
872 Posts

Posted: Mar 23, 2018 01:55 pm

0

Quote:

On Mar 2, 2018, skilldini wrote:
Doc Svengali has a very thorough review of Balls. Thank You. I am in the process of trying to keep the Fakini brand alive. I do think they are superior in many ways, especially the full line range. The material is very expensive and very durable. Wish me luck to keep this pioneer of manipulation supplies in business.

How about Fakini filling back oders? Like 3 years back order paid for and never filled?????? Yes, I wish you luck.